Friday, Dec 23, 2011

Shawn Malcarne told police that he and his friend Kyle Roscetti would routinely go on "mischief" excursions, stealing lawn gnomes, flamingos, driveway reflectors and the like from residences along the back roads of Westbrook and Ivoryton.

On a rainy Monday night in November, after drinking at the Highliner bar in Westbrook, the men agreed to go on another such run, Malcarne told police, according to a warrant for Roscetti's arrest.

Malcarne let Roscetti out of his car on Lynn Road in Essex, not too far from the Applesauce Acres alpaca farm, and drove off on a "loop," planning to return and pick up Roscetti, 21.

But Roscetti wasn't carrying any "plunder or booty" when he got back into Malcarne's car. He was soaked, with mud on his shoes, and out of breath, Malcarne told police.

Roscetti told him he had "cracked an alpaca in the head with a stick," said Malcarne, 23.

Six alpacas were slain in three separate instances in August, November and December, the warrant states. Kyle Roscetti is accused of first-degree criminal mischief and cruelty to animals, among other charges.

Malcarne faces charges including conspiracy to commit those crimes.

On Jan. 13, an anonymous caller told police that Roscetti and Malcarne were responsible for the alpaca killings, the warrant states.

About two weeks later, Roscetti had a scheduled probation appointment at the Clinton Police Department for a previous conviction. Malcarne drove him to the appointment because Roscetti does not have a license, the warrant states.

That same day, Malcarne gave police a written statement admitting his role in the slayings, the warrant states. Malcarne gave police details, including that Roscetti often wore a nose ring. Police investigating the Dec. 23 slayings found a nose ring within 2 feet of one of the four dead alpacas found that day.

Malcarne was interviewed again on April 3. At that time he told police that the men had burglarized the barn at Applesauce Acres around Aug. 28 - two days after the first alpaca was found dead, and in the immediate aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene - and stole a Stihl chain saw.

They turned themselves in on April 17.

"This is a serious matter of killing innocent animals for what appears to be pure sport," prosecutor Barbara Hoffman said during Roscetti's arraignment.

Both Roscetti and Malcarne also face charges of third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, fifth-degree larceny and conspiracy to commit fifth-degree larceny, according to a police press release.

The first alpaca's throat had been cut, the warrant states. The alpaca found on Nov. 15 had puncture wounds in the abdomen, but it also had severe head trauma, with brain and nasal sinus hemorrhages, the warrant states. It was also extensively bruised in the neck. A juvenile alpaca was found at the time with a cut on its right hip.

On Dec. 23, four alpacas were found with violent wounds. Three had cuts in their abdomens, and the fourth had a cut along the spine, the warrant states, along with cuts and puncture wounds in the head, neck and abdomen.

Roscetti has previous arrests for criminal mischief, breach of peace, third-degree intimidation based on bigotry-bias, and threatening for an incident that occurred on May 1, 2011, in Essex.

He also has a prior conviction and open arrest warrant out of South Carolina, the warrant states.

Malcarne has no criminal convictions, but he has another pending case in Middletown for allegedly driving an unregistered motor vehicle.

George MacLauchlan, the owner of the farm, said a total of nine alpacas have been killed or lost since last summer.

MacLauchlan described alpacas as docile animals that don't smell or make much noise, and said they can cost tens of thousands of dollars because of their fleece.

The farm initially offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest. The reward was increased to $13,000 after friends and strangers contributed.

Roscetti is due in Middletown Superior court on Monday. Malcarne's next court appearance is scheduled for Friday.

Anyone with information pertaining to the alpaca killings is asked to call the Connecticut State Police Troop F at 860-399-2100.

Case Updates

A Westbrook man charged in the December stabbing of four alpaca's at an Ivoryton farm may have a new arrest warrant coming, according to statements made in Middletown Superior Court on Monday.

Kyle Roscetti, 21, Meetinghouse Lane, is charged with cruelty to animals, third-degree burglary, conspiracy to commit third-degree burglary, fifth-degree larceny, conspiracy to commit fifth-degree larceny, first-degree criminal trespass and first-degree criminal mischief for the Dec. 23 incident at Applesauce Acres Alpaca Farm in the Ivoryton section of Essex. Private Attorney Norman Pattis represents Roscetti. Pattis told the court on Monday that Roscetti may have a violation of probation warrant coming and was granted a continuance until June 4. Pattis said if he is made aware of a new warrant, he would contact Roscetti, who will turn himself in to police.

Roscetti is currently on probation for charges of third-degree criminal mischief, second-degree breach of peace. He was found guilty on those charges on Oct. 26, 2011, and was sentenced to six months suspended and one-year probation. Police report that Roscetti also has an active, non-extraditable arrest warrant out of South Carolina.

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